How To Write A Documentary Analysis Framework
How To Write A Documentary Analysis Framework
Did you know that writing a good introductory paragraph gives your essay direction?? Miss Barnes had not, until her
Year 12 teacher – Mr Pearsall – taught her this strategy at Ocean Reef High School in 1989. This can work for MOST
subjects.
Example:
The purpose of Michael Moore’s Bowling For Columbine (2002) is to convince his audience that
the easy access to weapons in America is ridiculously easy. One scene that demonstrates this view
is that, in America, even banks issue guns. The footage of Chris Rock’s comedy routine shows that
the ammunition is too cheap and the Kmart scenes highlight this. Moore wants his viewers to be
horrified that weaponry is so easily available to the people.
LOOK AT THE QUESTION IN THE BOOKLET. Does that opening sentence ANSWER the question? If so, the rest of the
essay is just proving it (AND DISCUSSING HOW DOCUMENTARY CODES are USED).
Step 1. Look at the question: What will your answer / argument be?
Step 2. Given your argument / answer, what PROOF in terms of scenes do you have? What are the best scenes to
write about? See the three different colours?
Step 3. Within each of your PROOF scenes: What documentary codes are used? Why are they used / how do they
add to your answer / argument? Have you identified documentary techniques that are used in the scene? Have you
collected quotations / descriptions of the scene to support your argument? ONLY STICK TO ONE ARGUMENT. Have a
crack at writing about HOW that scene uses documentary codes and conventions so that the film-maker can
influence the audience.
(Conventions = how/why these codes are usually used, e.g. camera angles low = person being filmed has power;
voice over = makes us interpret a scene how film-maker wants us to; note also, typically or conventionally,
Today, write THREE opening paragraphs as options. Be prepared to share your favourite one. It’s modelled for you
in the first box. Once you have written your paragraph ask yourself
1. Would someone who has seen the film think that my topic sentence is true?
2. Do the 3 scenes I have outlined prove that my topic sentence is right?